Aprasia parapulchella


		*Aprasia parapulchella*	Preferred Habitat of Aprasia parapulchella	Preferred Habitat of Aprasia parapulchella

Place Identification Number

SVF0005

Site Category

Natural

Site Type

Individual Example

Location

Spring Valley Farm

ANU Heritage Classification

Vulnerable

Ownership

Australian National University

Heritage Listings

EPBC Act List of Threatened Fauna: Vulnerable
NSW List of Threatened Species, Populations and Ecological Communities: Vulnerable

Physical Description

Aprasia parapulchella can grow up to 14 cm and is known from four sites in eastern Australia. In the Canberra region the species is widespread but patchily distributed along the Murrumbidgee and Molonglo Rivers and adjacent hill. Major populations in the ACT occur at Mount Taylor, the lower Molonglo River corridor from 250m upstream of Coppins Crossing to the junction with the Murrumbidgee River, and Woodstock, Stony Creek, Bullen Range and Gingerline reserves in the Murrumbidgee River Corridor. Recent surveys undertaken in September/October 2006 have identified several sites where this species is located on Spring Valley Farm, adjacent to the Lower Molonglo River Corridor Nature Reserve.

In general, Aprasia parapulchella occurs in open grassland habitats that have a substantial cover of small rocks. The species shows a preference for sunny aspects, avoiding south facing slopes. Most sites occur in relatively open vegetation. Some specimens have been collected from grassland sites that appear not to support any native grasses. Several animals have been found on the edge of Callitris enlicheri woodland and Eucalyptus macrorhyncha woodland. The species also occurs in low densities in relatively open areas in Casuarina stricta stands with a Themeda sp. under-storey, and in Kunzea ericoides scrub.

Populations may extend further into woodland but remain undetected. They are most commonly found sheltering under small rocks (150-600 mm basal area) shallowly embedded in the soil (2-5 cm). Some individuals have been found under larger rocks embedded up to 30 cm deep. Rocks are used for thermoregulation, with lizards preferring rocks that receive direct sunlight, and specimens are not likely to be found on heavily grazed areas.

Natural Heritage Conservation Measures

Some of the major threats to this species are as follows:

Habitat loss and fragmentation as land is cleared for residential, agricultural and industrial developments;
Removal of rocks, which are a vital habitat element;
Heavy grazing and trampling by stock and rabbits, causing habitat degradation through root damage, prevention of seedling establishment and erosion;
Invasion of habitat by weeds or escaped pasture species that degrade habitat;
Habitat degradation through slashing for hazard reduction, ploughing and rock removal; and
Modification of habitat through tree planting in native grasslands.

Having identified these processes the University has undertaken a program to fence of those areas of Spring Valley Farm in which Aprasia parapulchella has been located. Completed in late 2006 this has involved the fencing of a portion of paddock adjoining the Lower Molonglo River Corridor Nature Reserve, at the rear of Spring Valley Farm. This will prevent cattle from gaining access to this and help in the protection of this habitat. Ongoing monitoring is being used at the site to determine the extent that weeds and other pasture species are invading this segregated area. The University is developing methodologies to minimise the spread of weed and pasture species and to ensure that the native grassland species have the best chance to colonise this area.

Conservation Documents

Estcourt, G. (2006): Heritage Assessment, Spring Valley Farm, ACT. A report prepared for ANUgreen.

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Consultation Requirements

Environment ACT

Cross-References to Other Records

SVF 0006 – Spring Valley Farm Yellow Box/Red Gum Grassy Woodland Ecological Communities

Links to External Agencies

NSW List of Threatened Species, Populations and Ecological Communities – Aprasia parapulchella

DEH Threatened Species and Ecological Communities – Aprasia parapulchella